Why is insulin "also" a treatment for type 2 diabetes?!

You're talking about insulin resistance - when the pancreas still makes insulin, but the cells are unable to effectively use that insulin. Over time, though, many Type 2 diabetics will become insulin deficient, too. By the time the average Type 2 is diagnosed, around 50% of the beta cells (cells in the pancreas that produce insulin) remain. A person can do well on only 50% as long as they eat right, exercise (improves insulin efficiency), and try to reduce insulin resistance by losing weight, if necessary. Beta cell loss will just occur over time, though, regardless of how well a diabetic can control his blood sugar. Blood sugar control may help slow down the deterioration, but not always.

Some Type 2s are never all that insulin resistant, though, and losing weight won't help them.

You're right that a person who's insulin resistant will have some difficulty with insulin. First, they usually have to inject a lot more than a Type 1 because they're not as insulin sensitive. Second, insulin may not be as effective. But for a Type 2 who's not making a lot of insulin anymore, oral medications can only do so much and injected insulin may be necessary.

P.S. Type 2 never turns into Type 1. Type 1s can be insulin resistant and have what's called "double diabetes," but insulin deficiency caused by Type 2 is not the same thing as Type 1 diabetes. These are *different* conditions with similar symptoms and treatments.

In type2 diabetes it is not necessary that good insulin is produced by pancreas and not absorbed by the body. Chances are that insulin produced by pancreas is either less or not usable. In this case we need to inject insulin. I developed diabetes during a surgery and my RBS level was 299. The doctors advised me to take 24 units of insulin a day until they removed the stitches.

So for such reasons like ulcers, wounds etc to recover fast you may need to go for externally injected insulin. If you are in a bedrest then docs may recommend insulin rather than tablets.

With proper diet, yoga and exercise you can completely cure pre diabetes and mild type 2 diabetes

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Because the EFFECTS of the disease are the same. Only the CAUSE is different.

Insulin is STILL used to lower blood sugar. that is the way your body works. Note, the Type 2 diabetics insulin is not useless , just INEFFECTIVE. That is why diet and exercise are such effective treatments for Type 2 Diabetes. BOTH of these increase the EFFECTIVENESS of insulin usage in the body -- ESPECIALLY exercise!

There is ALSO the possibility that, as the Type 2 Diabetic ages, the pancreas will wear out. it is VERY common, almost expected, that a Type 2 Diabetic that does not take EXCELLENT care of themself through diet and exercise WILL end up with a failed pancreas after several years, and thus Type 2 Diabetes "progresses" into Type 1 Diabetes after several (7-12) years.

My edo told me that when I was first dxed with type 2 I probably had about 50% of my pancreas working .
now after 25 years I have less than that. Way less.I need insulin to balance my sugars just like a person with type 1.

Not sure - I thought the target cells had become less responsive and so even injecting insulin would make no difference?

The overwhelming majority of type 2s eventually require insulin to obtain or preserve satisfactory glucose control and an A1c of 7% or less. Research clearly shows that achieving good control early on prevents diabetic complications, including nerve, kidney, eye and heart disease, up to twenty years later.

Deciding exactly when to begin insulin therapy is problematic for physicians who treat type 2 diabetes. Patients' misguided fears about needles, hypoglycemia, and weight gain often lead to reluctance and physician inertia. A recent survey found that fewer than half of all physicians made any change in diabetes therapy even for patients with A1c's of over 9%.

A similar study at Johns Hopkins found that it took an average of 240 days before doctors added insulin or another drug for patients who could not achieve good control. By the time they finally took action, two-thirds of their patients had A1c levels approaching 10%.

Even when initiation of insulin is clearly indicated, however, both patients and their physicians are often reluctant to do it. Some patients are needle-phobic, not realizing that modern insulin syringes and insulin pens are virtually painless.

Patients may also be worried about hypoglycemia and weight gain, although both of these concerns can be minimized. In cases where a doctor remains unwilling to start insulin for a patient whose glucose control is not improving even on two or three drugs, the patient should request consultation with an endocrinologist.

In summary, most patients with type 2 diabetes will eventually need insulin to keep their diabetes in control. In general, the sooner insulin is started, the better off the patient will be in terms of preventing complications and can save remaining beta cells. Today's modern insulins and treatment regimens (basal-bolus programs) make insulin a user-friendly therapy. Starting insulin early is the key to improved control and a longer and healthier life for all patients with type 2 diabetes.

Good question. Hope this helps.